Sweet Memories Are All We Have
by KoolBell777 on May 20, 2011 3:00 AM CDT
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It's just a terrible time of year, when it comes to football being played and talked about. The season has truly ended, and we are in the "DEAD ZONE" in relation to the length of time it will take to start up two-a-days. Seems like all we have, are the memories....
Like the anticipation of seeing Zac Etheridge returning to Jordan-Hare stadium. Zac told us it felt like he was "a freshman again, I was so nervous". After his neck injury against Ol' Miss in 2009, he was left with only one option that would allow his return to football, if it healed the proper way. It did, he did, and the rest, well, you know.
Watching in amazement, this new quarterback, that could run like an antelope, and throw like Pat Sullivan This same quarterback would end up going 21 for 21 in pass attempts, on the very first drive of each one of Auburn's games, all the way through the SEC championship game. Cameron Newton, the human highlight reel, became an Auburn legend in just one season.
Speaking of legends, Bo Jackson had his long standing rookie rushing record broken by this little dynamo from Little Rock, AR. Mike Dyer, has taken his rightful place in Auburn lore, and his future is filled with the potential to keep Auburn in the hunt for championships during his stay here. Remembering a limping Mike dyer score up the gut with a great read on a block, and against his home state college, in front of his newly embraced family. His smile afterward was comparable to a little kid getting that Christmas present he so badly wanted.
I remember Kodi Burns as he described that smile on Cam's face as Newton lined up wide right, and ended up in man to man coverage against a 5'10" Ol' Miss defender. The former quarterback, turned receiver, Kodi made a perfect throw, put where only Cam could catch it. He did. TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!
I remember our entire offensive line getting called out, publicly, because they had let a Clemson squad push them around, way too much. They responded, boy did they respond. From that point on, it was arguably the best offensive line play in America. In the SEC Championship game, the Conference sack leader was South Carolina. The Gamecocks came out of that game with ZERO sacks.
I remember the talk all week of Ol' Miss being just the team to "upset" Auburn. Their crafty coach would have a little something in store for our beloved Tigers. The rebels even incorporated the use of Spielberg sensation "Star Wars" along with uniform changes. All the tricks would amount to was an exhibition, of how not to. Throw a deep corner route at Demond Washington once, fine, try it again, and you get an interception in your face. Then when you do finally score, you kick the ball directly to him? Paid for that mistake too! A 94 yard stroll through the park later, TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!
I remember as Quentin Riggins,"Q" as he is lovingly called, talked on the sideline with 7:31 left, Riggins is the sideline reporter for the Auburn radio team. Auburn had the ball and was over 90 yards away from the end zone, on the road, in the Kentucky game, and "Q" stated that championship teams make these drives, and score. They did, as time was running out, Wes Byrum did what he has become famous for. Kicked the ball through the uprights to win the game. Again.
Chomp, Chomp, ring a bell?
I remember us talking about the quickness of Onterio McCaleb. Of how he could grab a squirrel by the tail, while he chased it. Although slight in stature by SEC standards, McCaleb has the heart of a much bigger man, and speed to spare. Just ask Patrick Peterson, who had the angle on McCaleb, in the LSU game, and still couldn't catch him. 70 yards untouched, and TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!
One of my personal favorite memories, was hearing Josh Bynes' statement during the BCSNC post game presser. He flatly stated "I told our guys on defense, that this week, all the sports shows on TV have shown are offensive highlights! Not one highlight was about our defense, so, we've got to step up our game". They did. Holding one of the most prolific scoring offenses to just 8 points for the final three quarters. An offense, that mind you, averaged a score every 1 minute and 49 seconds of possession through the 2010 season.
Sadly, I remember Toomers Corner. Thankful that I was able to share an Auburn tradition with my niece before it was too late. Simple words can not describe the pain, and heartbreak felt for all the Auburn faithful still to come, who may never be able to share that experience.
There are many more memories of the championship season, I could go on and on. This thought crossed my mind however, why don't you, our beloved Track Em Tigers readers, take the time to share a few of yours, with us. I truly look forward to your posts.
WAR EAGLE!
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War Eagle indeed
Years from now as seasons come and go, this team’s achievements will still cause me to shake my head in amazement. This has been the most enjoyable season for Auburn that I have ever seen in my life, which includes all the way back to 1967 when my older brother first attended as a freshman. I would follow 12 years later, in time to see Brooks, Cribbs and eventually Bo run in the backfield. Even though I feel that the 2004 team was perhaps the best Auburn ever fielded, this team was legendary.
So many memories...
But the one that will live in my mind forever, even given a season full of unforgettable moments was that single moment in time when Wes lined up to kick the field goal in the final 2 seconds of the BCS Championship game. The whole unbelievable season came down to this moment.
At that moment, everything that had happened during the season came flooding back to me. All of the impossible comebacks, the highlight reel plays, the wonderful comments from friend and foe alike came rushing back. I could feel, in that moment, the ENTIRE Auburn family hold its breath. There were many times during the season that I felt like we were all together and all in, but at that moment, I knew it.
I remember thinking that I wished my dad, who passed away at the age of 87 in Sept of ’09, and who was the biggest AU fan you ever wanted to meet, could be there with me. And somehow, I knew he was.
I remember thinking about our coaching staff. About Chizik, who didn’t have any at all of the fanfare that Saban had coming in. I remember thinking about CGC’s first SEC days as the AU Head Football Coach and how THOUSANDS of fans came out to see Saban and CGC looked adrift in a sea of crimson tide fans. But he handled it all with a smile. He understood that actions and results get attention.
I remember thinking, as the football sailed through the uprights that, in only two years, (one year LESS than Saban), CGC had done it. He would be famous, and rightly so, among the AU family for the rest of its history.
As the crowd erupted there at the stadium, I simply sat down. It was all ours, the championship, the bragging rights, the accolades and souvenirs that come with being champions…ours.
It’s funny, but I remember thinking how PISSED the gump nation was going to be about this. When they brought in Saban, the weren’t just trying to get a good coach that would take them from mediocre to being a good football team. They paid $4 million for domination. They paid $4 million to own the rivalry for the foreseeable future. They paid for continued bragging rights and dominion over the SEC and especially, and more importantly, us. And in just two years, that dream was dead. In those two short years, we out-recruited, out-played and out-coached Alabama and ended with something that
they thought was theirs to own…a national title.
And I knew at that moment that this was only the first one. We would be back here again, playing for the title again. I knew the gumps knew it also.
I also felt incredible pride for my school, my team and my extended AU family. We all earned this one. I felt even closer to people whom I had never met, but wore their orange and blue proudly like I did.
That was my favorite moment from a season that was full from one end to the other of moments that we will all talk about for the rest of our lives.
War Eagle!!!
This post totally rocks!! TOTALLY ROCKS!
It’s been the happiest morning, and then I read this!
There were so many wonderful moments…for me it was the drive that won the Kentucky game, followed closely, by the balls out determination against Clemson. It was such a great season! May we never lose appreciation!
War Eagle!
by Tiger on the mountain on May 20, 2011 9:36 AM CDT reply actions
Amen to that TotM!
So many memories. I will catalogue this one for posterity.
Hey Kool is that your neice in the picture?
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Yes it is..
Thanks to you good sir, she was able to enjoy the ULM game, and get to be a part of a tradition, that quite frankly, I hold in reverence.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
From last season...
Mississippi State – nausea, anger, fear, frequent rushes of blood to the head, cursing in tongues (what’s the Mandarin phrase for: “are you fucking kidding me?”…I think I may have said it), denial, and finally, relief….followed by fear of what the next game would be like…
Clemson, South Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas (first half), LSU, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina redux (first half), Oregon – see: above.
Seriously though:
Clemson – Bull, meet china shop; china shop, bull.
South Carolina – The plays at the :19 and 1:19 marks. The Cam Newton TD run just left me dumbfounded. The dive at the end felt like an eternity, and all I could think was: “what-was-he-thinking-no-one-can-make-that—OH.”
Arkansas - Bad calls aside (and the sword cut both ways in that game — fourth down spot, anyone?), the plays at the :23, 1:41 mark in this. When Auburn pulled away in the second half, I started to think that running the table wasn’t impossible. Watching the turnovers the defense generated went a LONG way toward that (and I was happy to see Bynes snag two of them…always thought he was the hidden gem in our defense, overshadowed as he was by Fairley).
LSU - No words necessary. Just shock.
Ole Miss – Kodi Burns’ touchdown pass to Cam Newton (:35 mark) made it look like the offense was just toying with Ole Miss…and it really drove home just how many ways Malzahn can find to leave you shaking your head.
Alabama – The side-by-side comparison expresses it best (the stuff of Richardson highlighted in that gave me confidence that our defense could at least hold serve the rest of the season).
South Carolina (SEC Championship Game) – This is about the time when I started to worry about Oregon. After that hail mary connected, I felt like nothing was going to stop them.
Oregon (National Championship) – Gut-wrenching feelings of dread. Waiting for the hammer to fall. Waiting for the explosion of points that I’d heard of constantly, and fully expected. But when Dyer broke off that run, it finally started to feel real…for me, at least.
Awesome post, KB. It’s almost enough to make me forgive you for dredging up so much anticipation at a time of the year when the football cupboard is bare.
Championship Night
I have a 12 year old and a 3 year old daughter that have never shown the slightest interest in football. On the night of the BCS game, I decide to go watch it with friends. About halftime, I get a text from the wife of the girls sitting in front of the TV wearing the Tiger hats I had bought them 2 years earlier. They were actually watching the game! I told my friends that I had to go and I went home and watched the game with my kids then celebrated a win. It was the first and possibly the last time my children will watch a football game with me.
I lost a picture from the text but here is an older pic of my little one wearing the tiger hat:
Daddy of the year!
Good grief, you had me at Tiger hats.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Tuscaloosa, 2010
Didn’t have tickets; joined my brother’s family at their neighborhood’s tailgate outside of the library. About thirty of the most obnoxious UA fans and the drizzly cold made us leave at halftime. Driving back to inlaw’s house in Selma, listening to game on radio and knowing how p.o.’d those guys were made me happy.
I need a cold shower and a copy of the Auburn Creed
Watching the game with my little girl.
I hope it’s something she will always remember. Enjoyed the read KB.
by GreenvilleAUfan on May 21, 2011 10:26 PM CDT reply actions
My three favorite memories...
1) Continually hollering out “Look at that Number 90” watching the Miss. St. game (and realizing now I didn’t even learn Nick’s name until four or five games later).
2) “The Run” against LSU
3) The CAMback in the Iron Bowl, and saying to my pal after AU’s second touchdown, “If we DO come back, being down this much will make it just THAT MUCH sweeter!”
4) Watching youtube videos (AU vs UGA Office Encounter, McElroy and Julio Discuss the CAMback, and all the “Reverse Rammer Jammer” videos after the Iron Bowl)
Biggest non-favorite memories:
1) Living right next to Athens, GA and not being able to enjoy AU’s win over UGA because of all the whining from the Dawg-fan “whiney douche-bags” (a la the “office encounter” video) coupled with their sudden attitude that football just isn’t that important.
2) Not being able to celebrate the BCS championship with anyone as it happened because of the Atlanta snow-in (and couldn’t even call Dad during that moment because he screwed up answering the house phone and put it out of order for the night).
In the words of Kevin Scarbinsky, "If it’s Auburn against the world…good luck, world."
by Michael Val Hietter on May 22, 2011 1:22 AM CDT reply actions
Angus Angst
Great thread Kool. At first I thought it was kind of lame that it was the end of May and we’re still trying to talk about last season….but then I realized how many great memories I have that are so strong, I’ll have them the rest of my life.
Clemson: I’m on vacation at the beach and my wife and kids give up on the hapless looking Tigers and go to bed. I hang in to the end and celebrate but remember thinking…we aren’t going to be very good this year.
South Carolina: What a difference a week makes….by the middle of the second qtr I am convinced that Cam and the Tier offense is for real. For the first time as an Auburn fan, I am not anxious about the outcome of a game…..I know we will win.
Ole Miss: When people ask me “Remember when Cam caught that touchdown from Kodi?” I’ll say “Yes, I was putting on clown make up”
Cam Gate: I’ll always remember how people that I thought had some sense, totally disregarded logic and facts and took rumor and innuendo as the gospel, I’ll rememer being able to defeat anyone that wanted to debate on the Cam rumors. NOBODY had any facts or knew the timeline.
Georgia: Along the lines of CamGate,,, their was NickGate. I have some friends whose relationship will never be the same….because they couldn’t deal with Auburn’s success, Cam’s success, and the fact that Georgia chop blocked Nick first!!
Alabama: I will remember watching the game at a party while afore mentioned UGA fans offered insncere condolences on the season as Alabama rolled in the 1st half. I remember praying and thanking god for a wonderful season…..moments later Antoine Carter turns it ALLLL around. All I did was smile the rest of the party.
SEC Championship: I go to get a head start on the halftime crowds at the concession stands at the game just before SC scores to pull within 7 points. Zac Etheridge is injured with 25 seconds left and this loud mouthed asshole Cock fan, is celebrating and mocking Zac while he writhes in pain on the ground. I tell him to take it easy, that Zac just got over a serious neck injury. Cock lover proceeds to tell me he doesn’t give an “F” about Zac and his neck….and we proceed to have heated words and need to be separated. Moments later SC scores and he crows over the crowd that SC is coming back. Seconds later while I’m getting a beer, Darvin catches the Hail Mary, and as I’m headed back to my seat, I see Cock lover and yell to him….“Karma’s a bitch Asshole!!”
This time he doesn’t have anything to say.
BCS Game: I’ll never forget the angst leading up to the game….not becasue I was nervous about Oregon but because i was paranoid that the storm would knock out my power and I wouldn’t be able to watch the game. I couldn’t find a generator anywhere, but I found a way to watch the game in my car on my computer if it came down to it. Luckily I never had to resort to that and I got to watch the game with my son all the way to the end. My other son woke up at 11pm and even though he doesn’t like to watch football, he pleaded to watch Auburn win too. How could I turn that down? I scooped him up out of bed and we celebrated into the snowy early morning hours.
More than anything else, I am thankful for that moment with my boys.
Many many memories, and just another reminder of how being an Auburn man has made my life that much more fulfilling. Thanks for the post KoolBell
Col.Angus may be rough, Col.Angus may not smell like a bed of roses, but deep down Col.Angus is very sweet. If I overstay my welcome, just tap me on the head!!
You, and those like you....
You guys and dolls are the reason, that I love doing this.
It is posts like yours that fuels my fire. So if anyone is owed thanks, it’s all of you.
For it is truly my pleasure.
WAR EAGLE!
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
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